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Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1, Theatrical Version, Spanish, Subtitled
One of Hollywood's greatest directors teams with a cast of incredible screen legends for this bold, sweeping tale of a ship's captain who ventures west to find a hotbed of jealousy, hatred and dangerous rivalries. As the reluctant hero is thrust into the maelstrom, he must summon all of his resolve to save not only his own life, but also the life of the woman he loves. Four-time Academy Award winner William Wyler directs this action-packed adventure (scripted by James R. Webb, Sy Bartlett and Robert Wilder) that triumphs as "a work of art" (Motion Picture Herald). Starring Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Jean Simmons, Chuck Connors and Burl Ives (in an Oscar-winning performance), this magnificently entertaining epic will take your breath away with unbridled suspense, exhilarating excitement and explosive drama on a grand scale.
"A giant-sized motion picture, lusty, rousing and with great sweep!" Variety
Editor's Note
Wyler's powerful Western covers a lot of territory with Gregory Peck a fish out of water as a sea captain who travels west to marry and settle, but finds himself in the middle of a bitter dispute over water rights and a jealous clash with the ranch foreman (Charlton Heston). He also discovers his fiancee isn't who he imagined and finds true romance with the local schoolmistress (Jean Simmons). Folk singer Burl Ives surprised audiences with his performance which garnered him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Plot Summary
Wyler's sprawling tale of the West, filled with feuds, vengeance and violent jealousy. In a dry, parched canyon located in the southwest, a rich rancher battles it out with a poor counterpart for water rights. Yet in fact, neither man has control of the precious liquid. It really belongs to Julie Maragon, and she generously allows them both to use it. But when a cultured Easterner arrives with plans to marry the wealthy rancher's daughter, his presence sparks a fresh round of anger and resentment.
| Features | French Mono | | French Subtitles | | Spanish Subtitles | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | English Mono |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: MGM |
| Release Date: 12/18/2001 |
| Running Time: 167 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1958 | | Catalog ID: 1001591 | | UPC: 00027616859013 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed, Spanish Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 2.35:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1959) |  | Burl Ives, Winner, Best Supporting Actor | | | Jerome Moross, Nominee, Best Music, Scoring Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture | |
British Academy Awards (1959) | | | William Wyler, Nominee, Best Film From Any Source | |
Golden Globe (1959) | | Burl Ives, Winner, Best Supporting Actor |
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| | Professional Reviews | USA Today
"...Sprawling....Jerome Moross' musical score is widely regarded as one of the best ever..." 03/30/2001 p.4EThe Motion Picture Guide 8 of 10
Huge, sprawling western with just about everything; brilliant photography, superb music, an intelligent script, and excellent performances, including one from [Charlton] Heston that is one of the best of his...career... If you like westerns you'll love The Big Country. If you hate westerns, you'll still enjoy this picture because the story could have taken place in a board room, at sea, or anywhere else personalities clash...
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